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Adjectives with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Summary:

This resource provides basic guidelines of adjective and adverb use.

Contributors: Paul Lynch, Chris BerryLast Edited: 2017-09-21 12:40:22

The Basic Rules: Adjectives

A countable noun is usually something you can count quantitatively. Countable nouns can be expressed in plural form, usually by adding an “s” to the singular form. For example, "cat--cats," "season--seasons," "student--students."

Usually, you can add a numerical quantity to such nouns, like “two cats” or “two students”. If you aren’t sure whether a noun is countable or not countable, try attaching a number to it. He had “two respects” wouldn’t work, so “respect” is an uncountable noun.

An uncountablenoun is a noun that usually cannot be expressed in a plural form. It is not something you can quantify. For example, "milk," "water," "air," "money," "food" are uncountable nouns. Usually, you can't say, "He had many moneys." or “The airs smelled good this morning.”

Milk and water are uncountable nouns. However, you may hear someone say, “Can I have two milks?” or “You should get two waters.” In these particular cases, the person has simply dropped off the countablepart of the phrase: “Can I have two [cartons of] milk?” or “You should get two [bottlesof] water.” In these cases, adding an “s” to milk and water is accepted in verbal speech, but you wouldn’t normally do so in a writing class.

Most adjectives can modify both countableand uncountable nouns. For example, you can say, "The cat was gray" or "The air was gray." However, the difference between a countable and uncountable noun does matter with certain adjectives, such as the following:

much/many

a lot of/lots of

little/few

a little bit of

some/any

plenty of

enough

no

Much/Many

"Much" modifies only uncountablenouns.

"They have so muchmoneyin the bank."

"The horse drinks so muchwater."

"Many" modifies only countablenouns.

"ManyAmericanstravel to Europe."

"I collected manysourcesfor my paper."

Much or Many?

Incorrect Examples:

“She wears so much rings” should be written as, “She wears so manyrings.”

“You deserve some many needed rest” should be, “You deserve some much needed rest.”

“Much treesline the street.” should be written as, “Manytreesline the street.”

“I have done many researchin that field” should be, “I have done muchresearchin that field.”

A lot of/lots of

"A lot of" and "lots of" are informal substitutes for much and many. They are used with uncountable nouns when they mean "much" and with countablenouns when they mean "many."

"They have lots of (much) moneyin the bank."

"A lot of (many) Americanstravel to Europe."

"We got lots of (many) mosquitoeslast summer."

"We got a lot of (much) rainlast summer."

Little/Few

"Little" modifies onlyuncountablenouns.

"He had little food in the house."

"When I was in college, there was little money to spare."

"Few" modifies only countablenouns.

"There are a few doctors in town."

"He had few reasons for his opinion."

Little or Few?

Incorrect Examples:

“Yesterday, I had few reason to complain” should be, “Yesterday, I had littlereason to complain.”